1/20/2009 is Here

Not since 1/1/2000 have I been seeing a date on everything from bumper stickers to posters. Some just had the date. Some also conveyed a not so nice political message ("The End of an Error").

But now, it is here.

It is very cold in Washington DC today, but that hasn't kept away a crowd of over 1 Million from converging on the Mall. For those who can't get there, coverage is on many TV channels. For those stuck at work, there is CNN.COM who is also partnering with Facebook so you can read comments from viewers from around the world. It is apropos that there is a great chance to participate in the Inauguration of a President who has already been calling for everyone to participate in the revitalization of the USA.

Another First - Chief Justice John Roberts will be swearing in his first President.

This is a great day. It is an historic day. But after the parties are over, the real work, and there is a lot of it, begins.

After the Election, the headline on TheOnion.com was "Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job". Funny, but kind of true. There is a very large mountain to climb and the problems could be too large to overcome in time for Obama to win re-election in 2012. But, as the Chinese 2-character symbol for Crisis demonstrates, there is both danger and opportunity. That double-edged sword will probably exist throughout the Obama presidency.

But for now, we celebrate. America is doing something today that people in many countries can only dream about.

This is not the End of our problems. It is not even the Beginning of the End. But it is, perhaps, the End of the Beginning.